Www.sistersofmercy.org is the website for all things about the Sisters of Mercy and their mission. It is there we find “The Sisters of Mercy were founded out of a deep concern for persons who are poor. Today, that commitment is focused in five “critical concerns” that we address through attention to personal and institutional choices, advocacy with legislators and other government leaders, and corporate engagement.”

One of the critical concerns is Women and this year we are focusing on that particular concern. Part of our Mercy Day celebration was gathering items particularly used to “Help a Sister.” We brought in such items as toothpaste and toothbrushes, but also uniquely feminine items like nail polish/remover and tampons. All these items were delivered to Dorcas House.

“The Dorcas House reaches out to women and children of Central Arkansas with the compassion of Christ. Housing, classes, counseling, daily chapel time and our other services provided begin to help change lives. Those who are trapped in domestic violence or struggling with chemical dependency and other addictions find hope and support to break the shackles of their issues and begin to rebuild their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (http://urmissionlr.org/dorcas-house)

How perfect that we could partner with them in this event.

“Our love ought to be so firm, so cordial and so solid that we should never refuse to do or to suffer anything for the good of our Sisters.”

Catherine McAuley, Letter to Familiar Instructions, p. 106

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

By Brenna Stefanov and Emily Angyal

Mercy Day is a significant day for Mercy schools everywhere. September 24 is the anniversary of the opening of Catherine McAuley’s House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland.

Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy and ultimately our school, devoted her life to the poor, sick and uneducated. In honor of her, we continue her legacy of caring and compassion in the name of Mercy through volunteering in our communities.

Freshmen volunteered in our school community by beautifying the grounds around the school and cleaning the gym. Sophomores started their yearly walk to Allsopp Park to volunteer in our immediate neighborhood community, but ended up making cards for senior citizens and patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital due to rainy weather. Juniors and Seniors ventured further afield and helped in the greater community. They could be found cleaning walls at St. Edward’s, stuffing brochures at Camp Aldersgate, repairing and cleaning headstones at Calvary Cemetery, and so very much more. Over 500 students, faculty, and staff made a huge contribution to Little Rock.

Imagine that happening all around the world wherever there is a Sisters of Mercy presence. Catherine McAuley would be proud. The day culminated with the school community coming, rightly so, to the table of our Lord with the celebration of the Mass.

“Our charity is to be cordial. Now cordial signifies something that renews, invigorates and warms. Such should be the effect of our love for each other.”
Catherine McAuley
Letter to Cork Manuscript

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

Mount St. Mary Academy faculty attended the Catholic Schools of Arkansas 82nd Professional Day Friday, September 28th.  We started our morning with Mass celebrated at Christ the King with Bishop Anthony Taylor, Monsignor Malone, Fr. Keith Higginbotham, other priests, and Catholic school faculty from around the state of Arkansas.  After Mass, the teachers listened to keynote speaker Sr. Patricia McCormack.

Sr. Pat, an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister from Pennsylvania, travels around the country delivering presentations, workshops, retreats, and in-services.  Her message included the call to “Embrace our Vocation” and “Accentuate the Positive.”  Ms. Naeyaert “loved Sr. Pat’s energy and enthusiasm.  She was very engaging.”  “She was funny and that made all the difference,” said Mrs. Chudy.  Mr. Carden added, “She had a message for everybody!”

After lunch, several Mount teachers served as facilitators and presenters.  Mrs. McMahon and Mr. Brady presented a session for junior high math teachers titled “Math + Collaboration = Future Success.”  Mrs. Johnson, Ms. McLemore, and Dr. Hendrickson presented a session for 7th through 12th grade teachers called “What Literacy Looks Like in the Secondary Classroom.”  Mrs. Burch facilitated the Special Education/Resource/Title I session.

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition.  Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists are recognized annually.

Mount St. Mary Academy is proud to recognize two students who have achieved the National Merit Semifinalist distinction in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program: Anna Kate Manchester ’19 and Bekka Ureta ’19.

The goal of the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame is to honor, in perpetuity, women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas. As a part of the 2018 program, five Girls of Distinction were selected form area high schools. Two of the recipients were Mount St. Mary students: Annie Quo ’19 and America Alejandri ’20.

Annie is a senior at Mount St. Mary and is actively involved in many organizations, including National Honor Society and JROTC.  In the future, she hopes to work with Doctors Without Borders to help people access healthcare across the globe.

America is  junior at Mount.  She is in her third year serving on Student Council and is an active member of the National Beta Club and the National Thespian Society.  After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology.

Annie and America participated in the August 20, 2018, Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame program.  This year’s inductees included the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas; Dr Carolyn F. Blakely, Lifelong Educator; Karen Flake, MSM President/CEO, Market Researcher and Public Servant; Dr. Sue Griffin, Alzheimer’s Research Pioneer; Dr. Raye Montague, Engineer; Dr. Bessie Grace Boehm Moore, Educator and Civic Leader; Florence Beatrice Smith Price, Composer; Mary Steehburgen, Academy Award-Winning Actress; and Annabelle Imber Tuck, Legal Trailblazer.

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

One of our additions to campus this year is the recently-finished portico. Our fall 2017 Parent Satisfaction Survey cited Safety as one of our top concerns. In an effort to address that issue, the MSM Academy Board approved the building of the portico. Mount St. Mary Academy partnered with Nabholz to construct the new portico, a double door entry system. We appreciate the partnership and thank Nabholz for their generous contribution!

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.